Novak Djokovic hopes for a warm welcome at the Australian Open when he returns next month, now that the controversy over his vaccination status and deportation is officially over.
Djokovic, a nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, was deported from Australia in 2022 on the grounds that he might incite anti-vax sentiment. As a result, he was unable to play in the first Grand Slam of the season.
Djokovic was banned from entering Australia again because of his deportation. However, that ban has been overturned, and the world number five is happy to have the opportunity to compete for a men’s record-breaking 22nd major crown and the 10th title in Melbourne.
“Let’s see, I always ask for the best from myself. Throughout the long term, I’ve been truly lucky to begin serious areas of strength for extremely Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic told columnists at the World Tennis Association in Dubai on Friday.
Due to his anti-vaccination stance, the 35-year-old Djokovic was also forced to miss the US Open. As a result, he was unable to compete in two of the four major tournaments this year.
Novak Djokovic ended his 2022 campaign
However, he ended his 2022 campaign with a bang, reaching the Paris Masters final and winning titles in Tel Aviv, Astana, and the ATP Finals in Turin.
In addition, he won titles at Rome and Wimbledon and finished the season with a 42-7 win-loss record.
The Serb had referenced in the past he might want to play into his 40s.
Djokovic responded when asked if he still felt that way: I would like to continue playing for as long as possible. I don’t really have a number in mind. So far, things are going pretty well for me. I can’t be upset. I’ll continue to play at this level as long as I have the drive.”
Iga Swiatek, the current world number one, was pleased to be ranked fifth on Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid female athletes.
The 21-year-old Pole, on the other hand, acknowledges that she hopes to expand her endorsement portfolio so that her earnings are not solely dependent on her court performances.
Forbes reports that Swiatek has made $14.9 million in the past year, of which $9.9 million came from winning tournaments.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams are the top two athletes on the list, with the former earning $51.1 million and the latter $41.3 million, respectively, despite having spent significantly less time competing on tour in 2022.
“I’m not motivated by it. Swiatek, who won eight titles in 2022, including two Grand Slams, asserted, “When I actually don’t think about things like that, the most fun I have on court is.”
“I’m pretty happy that my life changed in such a way that I can compete at the highest level and make so much money from it,” I said. “This is also something that really helps us appreciate the sport we have.”